Air Fryer Steak with Garlic Herb Butter

Article by Laura Denby

Cooking steak can be messy — whether you’re searing it in a hot pan or kissing it on a fiery grill — it requires high temperatures that can be intimidating for many home cooks. That’s why we love using the air fryer for steak. It’s fast and efficient with minimal mess, and, more importantly, it’ll leave you with juicy, tender steak that’s moist on the inside and crunchy on the outside. When it comes to our favorite air fryer steak recipes, it doesn’t get better than air fryer steak with garlic butter. Our experts developed this recipe specifically for home cooks looking for an easy, guaranteed way to make tasty steak, and this recipe delivers every time.

How to Make Air Fryer Steak with Garlic Herb Butter Like a Pro

Allow the steak to come to room temperature: Before cooking steak in an air fryer, be sure to remove it from the refrigerator and let it come to room temperature first. If you put the steak in an air fryer when it’s too cold, the outer edges will get hot and crispy while the center remains rare or underdone. Letting the meat come to room temperature first is essential to cooking it evenly while nailing your desired level of doneness.

Season generously: Air frying a steak helps create a thick, crunchy crust, which is even tastier when it’s well-seasoned. Since we’re not marinating this steak, be sure to coat it evenly and generously in salt and pepper.

Rest before slicing: As is the case with any steak, you should allow air fryer steak to rest for about 10 to 15 minutes before slicing it. This allows the juices to solidify a bit, rather than running straight out onto your board when you cut into it.

What are the Benefits of Cooking Steak in an Air Fryer?

Air fryers work like countertop convection ovens, which means hot air circulates from all sides thanks to a system of fans. This system ensures that the steak cooks thoroughly on the inside while developing a deeply caramelized crust on the outside. Air frying a steak is a fantastic way to develop crunchy texture without the mess or clean up of searing steak in a pan or on the grill. It’s a clean, efficient way to cook meat without the need to stand over your stove.

What’s the Best Cut of Steak to Cook in an Air Fryer?

When selecting the best air fryer steak, look for a cut of meat that’s about an inch thick. Anything thinner than that could cook too quickly, which would leave you with chewy, dry and overcooked meat. Our experts agree that sirloin is best, but some other fantastic air fryer steaks are filet mignon, ribeye or New York strip.

What to Serve with Air Fryer Steak?

Cooking steak in an air fryer leaves you with juicy, tender steak, so you can easily serve it with traditional steakhouse sides. Mashed potatoes, creamed spinach, crispy onions or roasted asparagus all pair nicely with this air fryer steak with garlic herb butter.